While the Clarks Hill area dodged the worst of the winter storm that powered through the deep south early this week, enough snow fell (1-2 inches) Tuesday night and then froze Wednesday to force the cancellation of Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN.
Not an ideal way to kick off the 2025 season, but all indications are the full field of anglers will launch tomorrow as scheduled. It will be really cold in the morning, 25 degrees, but temperatures will reach the high 40s on Friday and likely break into the 50s on Saturday.
Regardless, there is plenty of optimism about how the tournament could shake out amongst the competitors despite losing a day of fishing.
Quality spotted and largemouth bass were caught throughout the course of the three-day practice period, and according to several anglers via text exchanges, those bass have been caught in several sections of the lake and in different depths. Anglers have been off the water for two full days now too, which could help the bite tremendously.
One angler remarked that if things go perfectly, 22 pounds was definitely an achievable limit. Others anticipate 16 to 18 pounds will be the ticket to a good finish this week.
The looming question at any event on the Savannah River chain is this: who can unlock the blueback herring eaters the best? Given the conditions, South Carolina’s Kyle Austin expects the local anglers to have the upper hand.
“With this weather, I think the locals will be hard to beat,” he said.
Let’s take a look at a couple of anglers who could excel this week on Clarks Hill.
Zach Goutremout: It was more of a prespawn event than a winter event, but the New Yorker excelled last February on Lake Ouachita, finishing in the Top 10 and landing a 10 pound, 14 ounce mega-largemouth. It’s doubtful an almost 11-pounder will surface this week, but the same tactics Goutremout used in Arkansas could play well again at Clarks Hill.
Tristan McCormick: The former Bethel University angler won his first Open at Lake Hartwell, another Savannah River reservoir. Not only that, he has a second-place finish at Clarks Hill in 2023 in a Tackle Warehouse Invitational along with a Top 10 in a Toyota Series at Smith Lake, another blueback herring factory. With forward-facing sonar and offshore tactics likely coming into play, I expect the Tennessee angler to start the year off strong.
Mike McClelland: There’s a chance a jerkbait is going to come into play this week, and the father of the Spro McStick will likely be keeping it honest. McClelland comes from the Ozark region where deep, clear water is plentiful and also finished 15th during the 2010 Elite Series event here. He also owns an 8th place finish in the 2015 Classic on Hartwell and a 19th in the 2018 Hartwell Classic.
Matt Adams: I imagine if there is a shallow bite to be had, whether that is largemouth or spotted bass, Adams will find it. Coming so close to the Elite Series last year, I imagine Adams will be fired up to get the 2025 season started off on the right foot.
The six Emmanuel College entrants: Emmanuel University has turned into one of the best programs in college fishing over the last several years, and several of those anglers are fishing the Opens this year. Tyler Campbell, Parker Guy, Dylan Akins, Chase Carey, Brooks Anderson and Tj McKenzie are all registered for Clarks Hill and every angler listed has had success in the College Series. Don’t be surprised if one or more of these kids notches a Top 20.
